SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    SB 5015

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 22, 1992 

Brief Description:  Providing for landowner liability protection for volunteer projects.

SPONSORS:Senators Metcalf, Oke and Thorsness.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.

     Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Oke, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Conner, and Snyder. 

Staff:  Vic Moon (786‑7469)

Hearing Dates:January 21, 1991

BACKGROUND:

It is the policy of the state to encourage land and water owners to make the lands or water areas available to the public for recreational purposes.  In recognition of this policy, a private or public landowner or person in control of the land is not liable for unintentional injuries which may occur to a recreational user of the land (RCW 4.24.210).

SUMMARY:

A public or private landowner or person in control of the land is not liable for unintentional injuries to any volunteer group that is upon the land for purposes of a fish or wildlife cooperative project or the cleanup of litter or solid waste.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill will encourage cooperative salmon and steelhead projects and is supported by the Washington Sportsmen's Council (Jim King).

The Department of Wildlife testified it will help the program (Pam Madson).

The Department of Fisheries testified it will make more sites available for cooperative salmon projects (Susan Marley).

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Jim King, Washington Sports Council; Pam Madson, Department of Wildlife; Susan Marley, Department of Fisheries; Robert Berger, Department of Transportation